80/150: No stone unturned!

Stoneflies are insects that can be found worldwide (other than Antarctica) with 3,500 species known globally and many more being discovered! Stoneflies are known for being extremely vulnerable to pollution thus the presence of these insects are a great sign of clean water habitats. It is during the aquatic nymphal stage that they can be found in clean lakes, rivers and streams because of the abundance of oxygen. Some stonefly species are herbivorous, feeding upon fallen leaves and algae, while other species are carnivorous feeding on other small arthropods. Adult females are able to lay around 1000 eggs which they either deposit in the water or attach to twigs and rocks so that they aren’t swept away. Once the eggs hatch they can stay a nymph for a couple of years while the adults usually only live for a few weeks, and some adults may not even have mouthparts for feeding! #Canada150 #Biodiversity150

79/150: Flying, with its legs! – The Phantom Crane fly

No, that’s not a giant black mosquito. The Ptychopteridae family, (phantom crane flies), are a small family of Nemotocera (“longhorned flies”) related to mosquitos, true crane flies and blackflies. A common North American species, Bittacomorpha clavipes, is found east of the Rocky Mountains. Larvae are maggot-like, live in aquatic substrate, and have a large long respiratory syphon which they use to breathe. Adults are recognized by their slender light bodies and distinct striped long black and white legs. They are typically found resting on vegetation in forested areas close to lakes, ponds and streams. Like other flies, Ptychopteridae have one pair of wings, however it uses them very little for flight! Instead, bulges found on the first segment of each of its feet, filled with tracheae (tubes) are used to catch the breeze, allowing them to float, ghost-like through the air from perch to perch. #Canada150 #Biodiversity150